Game on: Rock Me Archimedes

Objective: Move your marbles from the center of the teetering platform to your end without letting either end to touch the ground.

Ages: 8 and up

Players: 2

Cost: $34.99

Why you’ll love it: This game not only helps kids (and even us adults) develop their strategizing and estimation skills, but it also incorporates the often-neglected idea that sometimes one must retreat in order to ultimately move forward. It doesn’t hurt that the finished real-wood and polished marbles of the game are pleasing enough to the eye that you won’t mind leaving out on a table.